Brentford delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Chelsea at home on Friday night, a result that lifts them to third in the Premier League table. Jaidon Anthony, Igor Thiago and Fabio Carvalho all scored in the second half to secure the Bees' third win of an unbeaten campaign.
Keith Andrews' side now have nine points from five matches, with two wins and three draws. The win also extends their current winning run to two games, following last week's 2-1 victory at Reading. This form is built on a solid defence, with the team having conceded only four league goals so far, a key factor in their rise up the table. Their next challenge is an away trip to face 16th-placed Aston Villa on October 10th.
Chelsea's defensive struggles persist
For Chelsea, the defeat exposed familiar problems. They have now conceded multiple goals in each of Xabi Alonso's first five Premier League matches in charge, a total of 12 goals in seven league games this term. After the match, Alonso criticised his team's mentality. "I would say that we have dropped our consistency, our competitive mentality needed in the second half," the manager said.
Defender Levi Colwill echoed the sentiment, admitting his side were outmuscled. "It was tough. Maybe we overexposed ourselves [at 1-0 down] and they hit us on the counter-attack, which they're so good at," Colwill stated. The manager's comments highlighted a broader issue of inconsistency that has plagued the team's recent performances.
Brentford's attacking trio shines
The goals arrived in a dominant second-half spell. Jaidon Anthony broke the deadlock in the 61st minute, finishing an assist from Jannik Schuster. Igor Thiago doubled the lead with seven minutes remaining, and Fabio Carvalho added a stoppage-time third to complete the rout. The performance drew praise from boss Keith Andrews, who highlighted his team's connection with the home supporters.
With key players like Nathan Collins and Mathias Jensen currently sidelined, the squad's depth has been tested, yet the team continues to perform. The team's strong defensive record, having conceded just four league goals, is detailed on the stats page. Andrews pointed to the collective spirit and the effective game plan executed by the players as reasons for their success against a top side.
More detail at The National Sport
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso reiterated his criticism of his team's mentality following their 3-0 defeat at Brentford. "We dropped our consistency and competitive mentality in the second half," Alonso said. The result leaves Chelsea winless in three games. Brentford, who are fourth in the Premier League with nine points from five games, have now scored 10 league goals this season while conceding only four.
Brentford supporters booed former midfielder Jordan Henderson on his first return to the Gtech Community Stadium with Chelsea, the club stated. The 36-year-old, making his Chelsea debut after a three-month absence, was jeered throughout the 3-0 defeat on September 18. Chelsea midfielder Valentin Barco also received a frosty reception from the home crowd. The result kept Brentford, who are fourth with nine points from five games, unbeaten this season.
Brentford striker Igor Thiago ended a four-game goalless run with his 83rd-minute strike in the 3-0 win over Chelsea, the club noted. The Brazil international's celebration appeared to be a weight lifted off his shoulders, according to match analysis. Brentford, who are fourth in the Premier League with nine points from five games, have now scored 10 league goals this season while conceding only four.
